Coffee and Dessert

Donut Hole. La Puente may not be on the way to anything in particular, but it is home to the renowned Donut Hole, a drive-thru doughnut shop anchored by a giant hemi-doughnut at either end, a 1947 architectural triumph. It’s a living doughnut museum that includes Tiger Tail Twists and baroquely frosted French crullers. 15300 Amar Road, La Puente, (626) 968-2912. Open seven days, 5 a.m.–9 p.m. No alcohol. Street parking. Cash only. 10 cents–90 cents. Donuts. JG ¢

Monsieur Marcel. Imagine one of a thousand small Parisian cafés or wine bars with sidewalk seating and classic plats du jour – but in the southeast corner of the Farmers Market on Fairfax and Third. Grab a stool in the bar area and order a Nespresso – slightly stronger than a regular espresso – along with a light mousse au chocolat. 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, (323) 939-7792. Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–8 p.m. AE, MC, V. French. MH $

Le Petit Beaujolais. This charming bakery and lunch spot is the offspring of Café Beaujolais, a small French restaurant that opened several years ago on the south side of the street. The lunch menu offers an appealing selection of soups, quiches, sandwiches and meal-size salads. A central display case of desserts lures you in with jewel-toned fruit tarts, miniature cheesecakes and glassy-topped crème brûlée. 1661 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, (323) 255-5133. Tues.–Fri. 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. No alcohol. Takeout. Street parking. Nothing over $11. MC, V. French. MH ¢

Soda Jerks. The ice cream served at Soda Jerks, an old-fashioned soda fountain in Pasadena, is Fosselman’s — an excellent local brand that’s been made in Alhambra by the Fosselman family for the last 80 years. You can order lunch (great hot dogs!) before your ice cream, or you can cut to the chase: unwieldy scoops of toasted almond, coconut-pineapple or rocky road in a sugar cone. 219 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, (626) 583-8031. Open weekdays 8 a.m.–9:30 p.m., weekends till 10 p.m. No alcohol. Takeout. Parking lot. $3–$7. AE, MC, V. Ice Cream. MH ¢

Starbucks. What could be better than an iced double-tall decaf caramel soy macchiato with double foam? Plenty of things, actually. But even a few minutes in Westside traffic can lead to all kinds of inappropriate yearnings, and a caffeinated visit to the drive-thru window, the only one of its type in the 310, can suddenly seem like the most rational thing in the universe. 3020 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 392-0134. Weekdays, 5:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; weekends, 5 a.m.–9 p.m. No alcohol. Lot parking. AE, MC, V. $2 and up. Coffee. JG ¢